The Arcadia Chronicles

Zac’s arm was draped protectively around Arcadia’s shoulder as they led the way through the complex to the main house. Zac kept leaning his head down towards her, talking softly in her ear. Every now and then they would burst out laughing or she would punch him playfully. Whenever they would pass a group of men, Zac’s embrace would tighten or he would lean down and kiss her or nibble on her ear, occasionally directing a dirty look at any that stared a touch too lingeringly. To any spectator the message was clear; she belonged to Zac and any argument on the subject would end in bloodshed.

“So what’s the story here Cadi? Do you like him?” Zac asked raising an eyebrow.

“Who?” She asked innocently.

He screwed his face up at her, “Don’t play innocent with me baby. You know who.”

She smiled seductively at him, “You’re the only one I want baby,” she purred, “but since you insist that our relationship remain casual, I guess that he will just have to do,” she teased.

Zac’s eyes darkened as a wave of what could only be described as fear swept through him. He looked down at her smiling face and tried to decide if she was teasing or if she finally had enough of his games and was ready to move on.

Arcadia noticed the change in him, “What?” she asked suddenly concerned.

Closing his eyes, he pushed the thought out of his mind and smiled at her again, “Nothing babe,” he replied gazing into the depths of her sparkling eyes. Pulling her tighter into him he kissed her forehead then leaned his head against hers as they strolled along.

The main house was located some distance from the centre of the complex, hidden behind a high fence and large gate, which silently slid open at their approach. A wide driveway led to the main house and veering off to the left it encircled two large ships. They sat on their podiums gleaming in the moonlight, side by side, their sleek lines reflecting the power and elegance of their owners. As they approached the house the newcomers surveyed the grounds. The house was surrounded by a picturesque garden and large bubbling fountain. The structure itself was low, comprising of two levels, but it was expansive. The front door was guarded by two secdroids who took retina scans of the newcomers to add to their files. Zac instructed the droids to allow them full access to the premises including the surrounding complex. Once all the security measures where in place, they entered the building.

The foyer was large, light and airy, which seemed to be the theme for the entire house. A grand staircase curved gently to the upper level. The white walls were decorated with expensive art works and the corridors where interspersed with ancient relics. The house décor was simple yet elegant but the evidence of wealth was unmistakable.

The newcomers surveyed the house from their vantage point in the foyer.

“Nice.” Han was clearly impressed.

“It looks like you’ve done alright for yourself here Cadi.” Leia gave her sister an approving look.

Arcadia looked around her house and nodded. “I inherited a lot of this stuff when Bargo died.” She said.

Zac interceded, “Yes, but the majority of it is yours through hard work and an astute business mind,” he reminded her. It was clear that Zac was very proud of her.

“Excuse me ma’am, will you be having guests for breakfast?” The silver protocol droid asked her mistress.

“Yes, there will be six for breakfast tomorrow morning.” Arcadia looked at her guests and asked “Any requests?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Arcadia smiled and turned back to her droid, “Make up a selection, including my favourite and I think you should serve it out on the terrace at about eight-thirty. Thanks DeeTee.”

The protocol droid bowed and replied “Of course ma’am.” The droid then turned to the guests and said, “If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call me.” And with a bow, the droid continued on her way.

Leia tried to stifle a yawn.
“You all must be tired.” Arcadia placed her hand on Leia’s shoulder. “Come, I’ll show you to your rooms.” Arcadia led the way up the staircase and down a corridor. She walked passed several closed doors before stopping at one near the end of the hall. She pressed the release and the door slid open.

“This is your room Chewbacca. I hope that it is to your liking.”

Chewbacca looked through the open doorway, upon eyeing the huge bed he grunted his approval, and strode into the room.

“The bathroom is through that far door,” Arcadia told him. “Have a pleasant sleep.” She added then moved onto the next door.

“This is a double room,” she told Han and Leia as she opened the door. “I think you’ll like it. The ensuite has a very large spa bath.” She smiled slyly at Leia. “Make yourselves at home.”

Leia blushed slightly at Arcadia’s comment.

Han turned to Luke and whispered, “What’s a spa bath?”

Luke shrugged. Not wanting to look like an idiot Han pushed Leia into the room and said “Thanks,” before closing the door behind him.

Zac took Arcadia’s hand in his and said, “I think you should give Luke the room adjoining yours.”

Arcadia nodded.

“I am going to check in with security. Luke do you think you can keep an eye on Cadi until I get back?”

Luke nodded “No problem. Take your time.”

Zac smiled, “Thanks.”

Leaning over to Arcadia, he kissed her gently on the cheek before turning and making his way out of the house. Luke and Arcadia watched Zac leave then Arcadia turned to Luke and motioned for him to follow her.

She led the way to the other end of the hallway where they were confronted by three doors spaced equally along the far wall. Arcadia went to the first door and pressed the door release. The door slid open silently and Arcadia turned to Luke and said “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

Luke followed her into the room. The interior was elegantly furnished with a large comfortable couch that followed the contours of the rounded full-length windows. A plush salmon coloured carpet covered the floor and the walls, like the rest of the house were home to exquisite art works. On the far side of the room, concealed in an alcove was a small bar. The bedroom was situated on the right side of the room and off that was the large marble ensuite. On the left of the room, there was another door.

“This is nice.” Luke walked around the room and inspected the artworks. “Real nice.” Luke stopped in front of the other door, pointing at it he asked, “Where does this go?”

Arcadia walked to the door and pressed the release. The door slid open,
“My room” she said and smiling at Luke, she walked through.

Luke stood in the doorway for a moment watching Arcadia walk across the floor, tossing up whether or not to follow her. She stopped after a couple of metres and turned, “Come on,” she held out her hand to Luke, who after a brief hesitation walked in and took hold of it.

As Luke felt the warmth of her skin pressed against his, he involuntarily rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. Arcadia felt a warm glow course up through her arm and then travel throughout her body. She looked up at Luke, the butterflies madly fluttering in her stomach. Luke returned her glance, his eyes darkening with desire.

A soft yet insistent beep emanated from a console on the desk. Luke dragged his eyes away from Arcadia’s and stared at the ill-timed annoyance. The beeping continued. Arcadia stepped back from Luke; giving him a resigned look, she moved to the console and pressed the answer key. Zac’s face appeared on the monitor.

“Cadi, Hi. Is everything okay?” not much got passed Zac.

Arcadia managed to compose herself before answering “Yes Zac, everything’s fine.”

Zac nodded, satisfied with her answer he continued, “Is Luke still with you?”

Arcadia turned to look at Luke and nodded.

“Yes, Zac I’m here.” Luke moved to stand in front of the monitor, excusing himself.

“Hey Luke. Listen I’m chasing up a lead on Cadi’s attackers. I think this may be more serious than I first thought. Do you think you could stay with her tonight?”

Luke bit his bottom lip, considering Zac’s request.

“I mean who better to protect the Princess than a Jedi Knight.”

Luke smiled at Zac, “Sure thing Zac. I won’t let her out of my sight.”

Zac’s face filled with relief. “Thanks Luke,” he said and signed off.

Luke turned from the console and discovered that Arcadia was not in the room. He experienced a split second of panic before he realised that he would have sensed if something had happened to her. As he scanned the room, he noticed an opening in the glass wall. He smiled to himself and made his way to it. He stood there for a moment looking out into the night. The door led to a balcony, overlooking a pristine beach. Luke saw the Princess’s elegant form silhouetted in the moonlight. She was leaning on the railing looking out into the distance, her fingers caressing the emerald cradled in her neck. Luke left the sanctity of the doorway and moved to stand behind her.

“It’s beautiful,” he said “So peaceful.”

Arcadia straightened, “Mm, it is isn’t it. I just love it out here.”

A cool breeze swept across the balcony, billowing through Arcadia’s hair, making her shiver. Luke noticed her trembling.

“Cadi, your cold. Come here.”

He moved closer, putting his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. She tensed for a second, her heart fluttering at the feel of him pressed up against her back. He rubbed her arms, trying to warm her. Arcadia relaxed into Luke’s chest leaning her head against his cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed. The only sounds were of the waves gently crashing on the beach. The stars were twinkling brightly in the sky and both the moons were full. It was the perfect setting, the perfect night.

Suddenly Luke tensed. Arcadia felt the muscles in his body contract, making his firm body feel like rock. Arcadia opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“Sh.” He held her tighter while scanning the surroundings. “I think we’d better get inside.”

Arcadia nodded and stepped forward away from Luke, she scanned the horizon searching for whatever it was that Luke had sensed but failed to see anything. Luke placed his arm around her shoulder and led her inside. Once Arcadia was safely indoors, Luke stood in the doorway, searching the distance for signs of trouble. Satisfied that they weren’t in any immediate danger, Luke closed and locked the door then turned to Arcadia.

“Do you have security shields for this building?”

Arcadia was standing in the middle of the room still trembling, her arms wrapped across her chest, a distant look in her eyes. At the sound of Luke’s voice, she immediately composed herself and answered his question.

“Yes, the controls are on the console.”

Luke didn’t miss her reaction. He quickly walked over and took her in his arms, holding her close. She melted into his chest, trying hard not to cry.

Luke stroked her hair and whispered, “Sh, it’s alright. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

Arcadia stayed in his arms until her trembling subsided.

“Why don’t you go soak in the tub for a while, Cadi. It’ll make you feel better.”

Arcadia looked up at Luke and nodded. “Mm, that always relaxes me.” She reluctantly pulled away from Luke and with a last look at him, went to the ensuite to get her bath ready.

Luke watched her leave. When he heard the sound of running water, he made his way to the console. The controls for the secshields were right where Arcadia said they would be. Luke activated the shields and then placed a call to Zac.

Zac’s face appeared on the monitor. “Hey Luke, what’s up?”

Luke looked back towards the ensuite to make sure that Arcadia wasn’t listening. “You might want to send some secdroids out to the beach area behind the house. I sensed someone out there. It could be trouble.”

Zac nodded, “I’m on it Luke. I see you’ve activated the secshield around the house.”

Luke nodded.

“How’s Cadi doing?”

Luke winced, “Not so good, Zac. It’s been an eventful day. She’s holding up but she’s obviously scared.”

Zac looked concerned.

“She’s soaking in the bath at the moment. Don’t worry Zac, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Zac didn’t look convinced, “Promise me you’ll stay with her Luke. I really don’t think that I can get back there tonight.”

Luke promised then signed off.

The front door slid open and Arcadia’s droid entered the room, her arms laden with luggage.

“Excuse me sir,” she addressed Luke, “I took the liberty of retrieving your luggage from the hotel. Where would you like me to put it?”

Luke looked around the room, “By the door connecting these two rooms will be just fine thank you DeeTee.”

The droid looked at the door connecting Luke and Arcadia’s room, then turned and looked across the hall at another door. “Excuse me sir, but which of the two connecting doors are you referring to?”

Luke looked across the room in surprise. He couldn’t believe that he had missed the other door.

I really need to focus.

“I’m sorry, the door on the right thank you.”

The droid moved to the indicated door and placed the bags on the floor. She walked back to the front door, before making her exit she turned to Luke and said, “I’ll see you at breakfast, sir.”

Luke watched the door slide shut behind the droid. He turned to look at the door that obviously connected Arcadia’s room to Zac’s, a flash of jealousy coursing through his body. The sound of splashing water bought him back to reality. He made his way to the ensuite door and knocked softly.

“Can I come in?” he asked.

“Sure.”

Arcadia was lounging in the bath, fluffy white bubbles surrounding her. Her hair was loosely piled on top of her head and held in place with a clip. She had removed all her makeup, her fresh clean skin covered in a dewy glow. A soft hum emanated from the tub, the swirling water foaming. Luke sat down on the edge of the tub.

“Are you feeling better?”

Arcadia closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the tub, she sighed.

“Yeah, I’m fine thank you. This bath was exactly what I needed.”

She took another deep breath, the tanned roundness of her breasts momentarily breaking through the foam. Luke bit his lower lip and tried not to stare.

“Your droid was kind enough to bring our bags over from the hotel. I’m just going back to my room to take a shower, Cadi. I won’t be long.”

Luke stood up ready to leave but Arcadia reached out and gripped his hand tightly, wet foam dripping onto his skin. Luke stopped and looked down at her.

“Don’t go.”

Arcadia was looking up at him with big brown eyes, a touch of fear evident in her voice. Luke hesitated, his mind filling with the sight of her.

“You can shower here Luke.” Arcadia indicated the shower in her bathroom, concealed behind a wall of opaque glass.

Luke studied the wall for a moment, and then nodded. “Sure Cadi, I’ll go get my stuff.”

Arcadia was clearly relieved. She smiled gratefully at him, reluctantly letting go of his hand as he left the room.

Arcadia leaned back against the tub again and sighed. The thought of Luke naked in her shower made her body tingle. Closing her eyes, she lost herself in a daydream. Luke returned to find Arcadia smiling to herself, one long lean leg draped casually along an inbuilt armrest on the other end of the tub.

“It’s obviously a two person tub,” he thought biting his lip again.

He looked at her bare shoulders and long neck, a wet stray curl hugging the teardrop at the base of her throat. Luke wondered what it would be like to kiss her there, to gently run his tongue along the length of her neck to her ear. A warm glow started to travel through Luke’s body making him shudder.

I definitely need a shower. A cold shower.

The sound of the shower running bought Arcadia out of her daydream. She looked up trying to make out Luke’s form through the opaque glass, but failed. She sighed and slowly got up out of her tub, the fluffy white foam sticking to her glistening body. Reaching across she pulled a towel off the rail and wrapped it around her. Stepping onto the soft mat, she quickly dried and dressed herself, ready for bed. With one last look in the mirror, she left the bathroom and strode into her bedroom. The room was large with a curved glass window that also led out to the balcony. A large walk in wardrobe and dressing room was positioned to one side, a full-length mirror completing the scene. The centrepiece of the room was a huge four-poster bed, draped with luminescent fabrics that shimmered around the tall white posts. A soft duvet covered the crisp white sheets, fluffy pillows scattered along the bed head.

Luke emerged from the bathroom to find Arcadia turning down the bed. He stood and watched her for a moment admiring the fluid motions of her body. She was dressed for bed in a tight, yet comfortable lavender singlet top and matching shorts that clung to her curves. The necklace that Zac gave her still adorned her neck.

Arcadia looked up to find Luke standing just inside the doorway of her room, a towel in his hand, rubbing at his hair. He was wearing boxer shorts and a well-worn sleeveless t-shirt, the muscles in his arms contracting as he dried his shaggy hair. “Could he be any cuter?” She thought to herself as she straightened.

Luke looked at Arcadia then at the bed, “Um, I’ll take the couch tonight, Princess.”

Arcadia frowned at him, “Don’t be silly, Luke. This bed is huge. You could easily fit three people in here comfortably.”

Luke looked unsure, “I don’t know,” he began but was quickly cut off.

“I won’t hear of it Luke. You saved my life today, there is no way that I will let you sleep on the couch.”

Luke had almost forgotten whom he was dealing with but the determination in her voice and the regal stance quickly bought him back to reality. He knew not to argue with Leia when she took that tone with him and he assumed that Arcadia would be just as stubborn.

“Okay Princess, “ he said with a smile, “Which side do I sleep on?”

Arcadia returned his smile, “That side.” She said pointing to the right.

Luke nodded, “I’m going to do a final check of the house. I’ll be back in a minute.” He turned and left the room.

Arcadia smiled to herself and climbed into the cosy comfort of her bed. She could hear Luke moving around in the next room, ensuring that the house was secure then turning the lights off. He returned to the room and climbed into bed next to her. The bed was big; Luke could stretch out without fear of ever touching Arcadia.

“And that’s a good thing?” he asked himself sarcastically. He reached over and turned the lights off. “Good night, Princess,” he said softly.

She replied with a sleepy “Good night Luke.”

It wasn’t long before Luke heard Arcadia’s breathing deepen. He looked at her lying in bed next to him, close enough for him to reach over and touch. He closed his eyes and sighed. “Get a grip Luke,” he told himself, but it was still a long time before he fell asleep.